9th Graders Personal Projects Conquer the Mountains of Knowledge!

2 марта 2020

Would you like to watch a Russian version of your favourite TV show?
Would you like to learn how to adapt to new environments? Would you like to
learn about the connection between life-longevity and your environment?
Would you like to learn about how visual arts help people?

Then look no further! On Wednesday 26th February, the 9th Class at our
Odintsovo branch presented their personal projects. This is an important
part of the IB MYP curriculum, and is traditionally followed by the
Moscow Economic School, which has been following the IB programme since
it was established in 1993.

First of all, we’d like to thank Grade 9 for all their hard work – the
results were amazing and many presentations were thought-provoking for
students in other classes. Nikita V. commented that he had never thought
about how writers and directors rewrite TV shows so they are appropriate
for other cultures commenting that, “I had never considered how
difficult it must be to rewrite TV shows so they would be suitable for
our country. I had previously thought that it was a case of changing the
location and language of course. Watching one of the presentations made
me realise it’s a far more complex process than I originally thought.’’

All of our students dealt with topics they felt were close to their
heart. We had entertaining topics ranging fr om rewriting a TV show to
more serious global issues such as the mistreatment of animals and how
our diets affect our lifespan. Valeria S. was fascinated by the detailed
content of several speeches. “I was so surprised by the research and
effort put into all the presentations. I felt as if the speakers were
actual experts in their chosen fields.

Many 9th Graders were joined by their siblings. Vavara K. watched
several presentations and commented how people she knew had worked so
hard while Roman S. commented that watching his sister give her speech
reminded him not only of the work he had to do but also those sleepless
nights! “It was worth it in the end! Presenting your speech and watching
everything finally come together was something that made me feel really
proud.”

Indeed, all of our 9th Graders felt a sense of pride and accomplishment
at finally completing what originally seemed like a mammoth task. Ivan B
exclaimed he could not believe it was all over and what they had learned
from it. “It wasn’t just a school project we had to do but something
that helped us to develop as students.’’ Edward B. commented that the
Personal Project had taught him a lot about time-management and its
realities. “It’s important to set yourself small but realistic targets
which are achievable. If you do this, then you will not be hit with this
mountain of work to do in the last weeks of February.’’

An important part of the Personal Project is learning to evaluate
sources. This is not only useful for academic life but in a period wh ere
all types of information are widely available, it is becoming extremely
difficult to distinguish reliable sources versus questionable sources.
The IB programme and the personal project teach students to critically
evaluate the reliability of sources discovered.

Indeed, I hope it was a great pleasure for both participants, observers
and assessors and we look forward to the 8th Grade presenting their
persuasive speeches next term and their personal projects next year! We
await with intrepidation!